As it happened: Anna announces revamped anti-corruption movement

India against corruption activist Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday dared the government once again.

He said that if he was made the director of the CBI, he would end all cases of graft.

Saturday, Nov 10, 2012 16:45 IST

Saying that the movement had struggled for 2 years, Kiran Bedi says that the movement was not only for the Jan Lokpal Bill alone.

Bedi demands that investigation agencies become independent.

She says the fight against corruption would go on.

Saturday, Nov 10, 2012 16:47 IST

Anna Hazare claims that everyone wanted to join his movement.

Anna says that a 13-member committee was formed and met today. He says the Delhi office of the new Team Anna will be inaugurated on Sunday.

Saturday, Nov 10, 2012 16:52 IST

Anna Hazare announces nationwide tour from January 30

Anna Hazare on Saturday announced that he would start a national campaign against corruption Jan 30, 2013, the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

"Today (Saturday) there was a meeting among 13 old members of our group for over five hours. Soon there will be a national campaign against corruption. I will start a nationwide tour from Jan 30, 2013," Hazare told reporters after the meeting.

"It is a misinformation that the team has ended. We have formed a 13-member team which will take forward the movement," Hazare said.

The activist also said he will inaugurate his new office at Sarvodaya Enclave in south Delhi Sunday.

"We need to unite the country against corruption, we need a revolution to change the system," he said.

Among those who attended the meeting were Kiran Bedi, N. Santosh Hegde and Medha Patkar.

Hazare Sep 19 confirmed his "separation" from his former team and from key associate Arvind Kejriwal on the issue of forming a political party and directed that his photographs or name should not be used for political campaigning.-IANS

Saturday, Nov 10, 2012 17:33 IST

Tarun Gogoi admits corruption, but wonders if Anna has the ability to check

Admitting no government department in the state is free from corruption, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Saturday wondered how corruption could be checked by Anna Hazare and his associates "supported by those indulging in corruption".

"I do admit there is corruption in all departments. No department is free from corruption. I am saying that. It is a fact," Gogoi told reporters here.

To a query Gogoi said, "I cannot say which department is more corrupt than the other".

"I welcome Anna Hazare's campaign against corruption. I support any movement against corruption. But not of Anna or of those supported by those indulging in corruption", he said.

"Media reports claimed that 20,000 people participated in Anna's recent public rally here. A lot of money has to be spent for such a rally and bringing the people", Gogoi said.

"Since my school days I have been involved in organising public meetings and I know contributions have to be taken for it. If the condition of landless farmers here has improved to come for the rally at their own cost then I have nothing to say", he said.

"If donations are taken from those indulging in corruption, then how will corruption be checked. Only Anna Hazare and Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) know", the chief minister said.

On the KMSS, which organised the rally addressed by Anna here, the chief minister said, "KMSS is only organising an agitation, while our government is trying to give them freedom".--PTI

Saturday, Nov 10, 2012 17:38 IST

Anna begins new innings against corruption, to start movement from Bihar

Veteran social activist Anna Hazare on Saturday said that his movement was never disrupted because of the split with India Against Corruption (IAC) chief Arvind Kejriwal, and added that he would begin a nationwide tour against the rampant corruption in the country from Patna's Gandhi Maidan on January 30 next year.

Hazare said there was a misinformation campaign that the movement had died

"I am glad that our movement is rejuvenated now. It was necessary to dispel all doubts over the movement. Our movement was never disrupted because of the split. Everybody wants to join our movement. Delhi Office will be inaugurated tomorrow. We will train 50 volunteers in each state. Another 40 people will join us in a month's time," said Hazare

"Corruption and system overhaul will be our focus. We will further build up our movement. Our movement hasn't weakened, it will be even tougher. There is rampant corruption because the CBI is under government control. We had a five-hour long meeting to chart out the future," he added

Hazare also used the occasion to target the ruling Congress Party, saying the UPA Government at the Centre doesn't want a corrupt-free Indi

"We will not accept government's version of Lokpal. People should have right to reject. We need to unite the country against corruption. We need a revolution to change the system. We will be inclusive in our approach, everybody is invited," said Hazare

"I am confident that we will be a force to reckon with by 2014. I have formed a 13-member committee, which will take forward the movement," he added

Hazare further said that he would stop the entry of foreign companies into India.

Meanwhile, former IPS officer and Team Anna member Kiran Bedi said the India Against Corruption movement struggled for two years

"We aren't for Jan Lokpal alone, we need a mass movement," she added

Social activist Medha Patkar, who was also present on the occasion, said Hazare would infuse new vigor into the movement.

Hazare had earlier in September confirmed his 'separation' from his former team member Arvind Kejriwal on the issue of forming a political party and directed that his photographs or name should not be used for political campaigning.-ANI